About

The Inter-Agency Committee on Radiation Safety (IACRS)has been operating since March 1990. The purpose of the IACRS (hereinafter the Committee) is to promote consistency of policies and co-ordination of activities with respect to areas of common interest in radiation protection and safety at the international level. This includes applying radiation protection and safety principles and criteria for the development and implementation of standards, and translating them into regulatory terms; fostering co-ordination of research and development; advancing education and training; promoting widespread information exchange; facilitating the transfer of technology and know-how and providing services in radiation protection and safety.

Composition

The Committee is composed of representatives from intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations concerned with radiation protection and safety matters.

Member organisations are ‘intergovernmental organisations', which includes specialised agencies and related organisations of the United Nations system, relevant programmes, offices or entities of the United Nations, and other relevant non-United Nations organisations.

Observer organisations are non-governmental international organisations.

Each member and observer organisation nominates a representative to the Committee.

Functions

The Committee has the following functions:

To provide a forum for the timely exchange of information between the organisations on their respective activities with a view to ensuring as far as possible the co-ordination of their respective plans and activities related to radiation safety, inter alia, in order to avoid inconsistency or unnecessary duplication of radiation safety standards and recommendations.

Specifically, as and when appropriate, to consider proposals to the IAEA to initiate a process for the review and if appropriate revision of the Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards, and to assist in this process to the extent applicable.

The functions of the Committee are undertaken without prejudice to the roles and responsibilities to the member organisations.

The Committee's activities do not affect the other arrangements defined in agreements between organisations, or their day-to-day implementation.

The Committee may set up task groups to address specific issues.

Committee Chair and Secretariat

The Committee agrees which member organisation will chair the Committee until the next regular meeting. The chair, in principle, rotates among the member organisations.

The Committee has a standing secretariat (the secretariat) to provide continuity. Member organisations appoint the secretariat for a period of six years.

Meetings

The Committee holds regular meetings on periodic basis, as deemed necessary but with an interval between regular meetings generally not exceeding 18 months.

The Committee may invite other organisations as appropriate for specific topics.